[suzer]

What are the possible fees customs might charge me if i buy a couple of pairs of shoes from the US and have them shipped here...under $200?

[IanW99]

What are the possible fees customs might charge me if i buy a couple of pairs of shoes from the US and have them shipped here...under $200?

You don't say whether that is NZD or USD, and is this the total price or per pair?

This link might be a good place to start:- Customs Charges (http://www.customs.govt.nz/importers/Private+Importers/Customs+Charges.htm)

Ian

[suzer]

Both pairs are about $60 each...the tota, in USD, is approx $150 including shipping of $35.

[wiki]

I may have worked it out wrong, but that link has the line:

No revenue collection will be made if the total amount owing on the goods imported is less than $50.

So perhaps if 12.5% of your purchase+shipping+insurance price is less than $50 NZ then you should be ok to bring it in.

It's late so my maths might be off, but I think $50 is 12.5% of $400 NZ so you should probably aim to have your mail order purchase come in at less than that all together - and allow a bit for exchange rate fluxuation.

Hopefully someone with better maths sense than me will come along and work out if I'm right!

At least I know what my Amazon packages are going to have to be kept under :)

[suzer]

I just rang customs and they did mention that if it's under $50 owing they MAY waive it. she said it goes through two processes---clearance and duty collection, if any, and gave me two numbers to ring.

Just for you who might be looking for shopping deals, I shop Sierra Trading Post quite a lot for seriously discounted shoes, travel gear and wear, etc. I'm buying some Ecco shoes which retail here in NZ for about $270 for $60-ish US;)

[IanW99]

I may have worked it out wrong, but that link has the line:

No revenue collection will be made if the total amount owing on the goods imported is less than $50.

So perhaps if 12.5% of your purchase+shipping+insurance price is less than $50 NZ then you should be ok to bring it in.

It's late so my maths might be off, but I think $50 is 12.5% of $400 NZ so you should probably aim to have your mail order purchase come in at less than that all together - and allow a bit for exchange rate fluxuation.

Hopefully someone with better maths sense than me will come along and work out if I'm right!

At least I know what my Amazon packages are going to have to be kept under :)

You are not taking duty into account for this calculation!

For footwear it is 17% which would have a big impact on the calculation.

There is also an Import Entry Transaction fee of $25.38

Ian

[Aussie Pom]

I was thinking that if you have to pay a transaction fee everytime you bring something in and tax if it is more than $400 then you really need to make your purchases add up to $399 to maximise the amount you get in your parcel for the import transaction fee.:yes
Gina

[Nathan]

When/how is the fee collected? Does the consignee get a bill before the goods are released? Or do you get them at the same time?

[suzer]

You are not taking duty into account for this calculation!

For footwear it is 17% which would have a big impact on the calculation.

There is also an Import Entry Transaction fee of $25.38

Ian


Not according to customs

[IanW99]

Not according to customs

Which bit is not according to customs as all the details I posted came straight off their website?

Ian

[suzer]

Just an fyi that my pkg came straight through w/o any fees or anything from customs:) Good stuff!

Ian, customs didn't mention anything about the Import Entry Transaction Fee. The woman at customs who I spoke with on the phone said only GST of 12.5% and then the duty fee, which as I said would be waived if it was under $50.

[jess]

I too bought shoes from the states in Dec. - $140 USD total with shipping for two pairs sent together. I was not charged anything by customs. But my total due would have been less than the $50 as Wiki pointed out.

[IanW99]

Thanks for the update.

In addition to the payment of duty and GST, an Import Entry Transaction Fee of $25.38 (GST inclusive) may apply.

It would be good to know when they 'may' apply the transaction charge that they quote? Has anyone had to pay this charge?

Ian

[jess]

Thanks for the update.
It would be good to know when they 'may' apply the transaction charge that they quote? Has anyone had to pay this charge?

Ian I think the answer is on this NZ Govt. Legislation page (http://www.legislation.govt.nz/libraries/contents/om_isapi.dll?clientID=2669565278&infobase=pal_regs.nfo&jump=r2004-367%2fs.4&softpage=DOC), which says...
an import entry transaction fee is not payable if the import entry or document described in subclause (1) relates only to—
(f)http://www.legislation.govt.nz/sdimages/tab.gifgoods that—

are for the person's own personal, non-commercial use and not for resale; and

have a Customs value that, together with the Customs value of any other goods imported by or for the person on the same craft on which those goods arrived, or, in the case of a postal article, together with the Customs value of any other goods imported by or for the person in the same dispatch of mail, amounts to less than $1,000.

[Howie]

My sister lives in the US so I sometimes mail order stuff and get it sent to her (often free shipping within the US) and then get her to mail it to me as I find the shipping costs are a lot lower that way. This is really good when I'm buying things from a few different stores and she can take reduce the packaging and ship them together. She just puts gift and the value on the customs label, and these are usually small purchases.

I'm thinking of buying a digital camera (probably $200-$300USD) as I can't find a good deal here. I gather from this thread that I wouldn't have to pay anything extra if I get it sent straight to me or if I send it through my sister?

Any advice on where to buy a camera online?

[suebeenz]

My sister lives in the US so I sometimes mail order stuff and get it sent to her (often free shipping within the US) and then get her to mail it to me as I find the shipping costs are a lot lower that way. This is really good when I'm buying things from a few different stores and she can take reduce the packaging and ship them together. She just puts gift and the value on the customs label, and these are usually small purchases.

I'm thinking of buying a digital camera (probably $200-$300USD) as I can't find a good deal here. I gather from this thread that I wouldn't have to pay anything extra if I get it sent straight to me or if I send it through my sister?

Any advice on where to buy a camera online?

If you can be patient, and know what you want, I'd keep checking daily at:
http://www.slickdeals.net

They have some great deals that pop up there on tech stuff (but actually, all sorts). The deals tend to expire after a couple of days though, so you have to be quick about it.

If you're not patient, these guys are great, but don't always have the best prices.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

[barryp]

Just a data point - I buy stuff from the USA quite often, mainly from Amazon. (Even for work - technical books and such.) I recall one box was opened for inspection by Customs, but I have never been asked to pay GST. Shipping labels are complete and accurate as regards value, typically NZ$100-200.

Duty is almost never an issue for overseas purchases - so long as you're buying quantities of one. Goods that might be assessed duty in all cases are typically prohibited entry anyway, such as agricultural products.

The list of prohibited articles is worth consulting - I was surprised to see that certain types of (minimally volatile) cosmetics are prohibited entry. But clothing, books, CD's, DVD's, personal electronics, etc. are not a problem.

[suzer]

My sister lives in the US so I sometimes mail order stuff and get it sent to her (often free shipping within the US) and then get her to mail it to me as I find the shipping costs are a lot lower that way. This is really good when I'm buying things from a few different stores and she can take reduce the packaging and ship them together. She just puts gift and the value on the customs label, and these are usually small purchases.

I'm thinking of buying a digital camera (probably $200-$300USD) as I can't find a good deal here. I gather from this thread that I wouldn't have to pay anything extra if I get it sent straight to me or if I send it through my sister?

Any advice on where to buy a camera online?

check out www.pricescan.com for prices when you do decide which camera you want

[Nathan]

One of my flat tops got randomly checked by Custome....NZ$350 to releasde it!! I called them and the guy I talked to said he'd take care of things and it would be in the mail in a coule days...no duties. This would have required LOTS of effort in the States!

[suzer]

Just a data point - I buy stuff from the USA quite often, mainly from Amazon. (Even for work - technical books and such.) I recall one box was opened for inspection by Customs, but I have never been asked to pay GST. Shipping labels are complete and accurate as regards value, typically NZ$100-200.

Duty is almost never an issue for overseas purchases - so long as you're buying quantities of one. Goods that might be assessed duty in all cases are typically prohibited entry anyway, such as agricultural products.

The list of prohibited articles is worth consulting - I was surprised to see that certain types of (minimally volatile) cosmetics are prohibited entry. But clothing, books, CD's, DVD's, personal electronics, etc. are not a problem.

cosmetics? such as? where do i find this list? my mom has mailed me cosmetics along with other stuff in a care pkg, and i believe listed this on the customs form, but the box wasn't opened.

[Oregonkiwi]

cosmetics? such as? where do i find this list?

http://www.nzpost.co.nz/Cultures/en-NZ/CustomerService/Find+Answers?p_faqid=487

[eolaherb]

My sister lives in the US so I sometimes mail order stuff and get it sent to her (often free shipping within the US) and then get her to mail it to me as I find the shipping costs are a lot lower that way. This is really good when I'm buying things from a few different stores and she can take reduce the packaging and ship them together. She just puts gift and the value on the customs label, and these are usually small purchases.

I'm thinking of buying a digital camera (probably $200-$300USD) as I can't find a good deal here. I gather from this thread that I wouldn't have to pay anything extra if I get it sent straight to me or if I send it through my sister?

Any advice on where to buy a camera online?

Howie, I really like this camera I recently purchased on Amazon (a good price, and free shipping for your sister): http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-TZ3K-Digital-Optical-Stabilized/dp/B000MW3YE0/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-6193554-8016448?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1192986827&sr=8-1